Last-Minute Passport: Express Procedures in Austria, Germany & Switzerland

Your holiday is just around the corner, and you suddenly realise: your passport has expired. Don’t panic — Austria, Germany, and Switzerland all offer express procedures that get you a new passport significantly faster. However, you need to be well prepared because every lost minute counts. Here’s how the express process works in each country and what you’ll need.

Express Procedures Compared

Austria: Express Passport in 3 Working Days

In Austria, you can apply for an express passport at any passport authority. Processing typically takes 3 working days — compared to 5 working days for the standard procedure.

Costs

• Standard passport (age 26+): €75.90
• Express surcharge: ~€55
• Total express cost: ~€130
• Reduced fees for persons under 26

Where to Apply

• Gemeindeamt (municipal office) or Magistrat in your area
• Bezirkshauptmannschaft (district authority)
• In Vienna: Magistratisches Bezirksamt (magistrate district office)
• Vienna Airport has a passport service point — but only for emergencies with a flight ticket

Emergency Passport for Absolute Emergencies

If even 3 days is too long, there’s the Notpass (emergency travel document). It’s issued directly at the passport authority or at the airport and is valid only for a specific trip. Cost: ~€26, validity: maximum 1 year.

Germany: Express Passport in 72 Hours

The German express procedure is particularly attractive because the surcharge of €32 is comparatively low and processing time drops to just 72 hours.

Costs

• Standard passport (age 24+): €60
• Express surcharge: €32
• Total express cost: €92
• For persons under 24: €37.50 + €32 = €69.50

Where to Apply

• Bürgeramt (citizens’ office) or registration office in your city
• Applications must be submitted by 12:00 noon for the 72-hour deadline to apply
• Not all citizens’ offices offer the express service — call ahead

Temporary Passport

For absolute emergencies, the citizens’ office issues a vorläufiger Reisepass (temporary passport). It’s issued immediately but is only valid for 1 year and not accepted by all countries. Cost: €26.

Important: Not Universally Accepted

The temporary passport is not recognised by some countries (e.g., the USA, certain Asian nations) for visa-free entry. Check with the Federal Foreign Office beforehand whether your destination accepts the temporary passport.

Switzerland: Express Passport in 3–5 Working Days

In Switzerland, the express procedure is somewhat more expensive but equally available.

Costs

• Standard passport (age 18+): 140 CHF
• Express surcharge: 100 CHF
• Total express cost: 240 CHF
• For persons under 18: 60 CHF + 100 CHF = 160 CHF

Where to Apply

• Einwohnergemeinde (residents’ municipal office) in your area
• In some cantons, pre-order online via schweizerpass.ch
• Pick up at the cantonal passport office

Provisional Passport

For absolute emergencies, there’s a provisorischer Pass (provisional passport), issued by the cantonal passport office or at the airport (Zurich, Geneva). Validity: maximum 1 year. Cost: 100 CHF.

What You Need for an Express Application

Regardless of which country you’re in, have these documents ready:

Checklist

• Valid passport photo (biometric, recent, max. 6 months old)
• Old passport (even if expired)
• National ID card (if available)
• Birth certificate (for first-time applications)
• Marriage certificate (if name has changed)
• Registration confirmation (depending on municipality)
• Cash or debit card (fees paid on-site)

The Biggest Time Waster: The Passport Photo

Most people underestimate how long it takes to get a compliant passport photo. At a photographer’s studio, you need an appointment, wait on-site, and hope the result meets biometric standards. At a photo booth, you risk multiple attempts.

How a Digital Passport Photo Saves You Time

When every hour counts, a digital passport photo is the fastest solution. With PassphotoLabs, you can create your biometric passport photo in just a few minutes — directly from your smartphone:

1. Take a photo: Selfie or photo against any wall
2. AI processing: Background is automatically replaced, biometric dimensions checked
3. Download your result: Print-ready photo in minutes
4. Print at home or at a drugstore

For just €4, your passport photo is ready instantly — no appointment, no waiting, no travel. You can head straight to the authorities.

Time-Saving Tips for Your Office Visit

Mind the Opening Hours

• Avoid Monday mornings — they’re the busiest
• Many offices have extended hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays
• Some citizens’ offices offer online appointment booking — use it

Get Everything Right the First Time

• Gather all documents beforehand
• Bring your passport photo ready (don’t try to get one on-site)
• Fill out forms online in advance (if available)
• For express: submit your application as early in the day as possible

Check Travel Alternatives

If even the express passport won’t arrive in time:

• Within the EU: A national ID card is sufficient for most countries
• Emergency passport: Issued immediately, but not accepted everywhere
• Rebook your flight: Sometimes cheaper than emergency passport + express fees

Conclusion: Preparation Is Everything

An express passport is available in all three countries, but it costs extra and requires you to have all documents — including your passport photo — ready. The biggest time loss often isn’t at the office itself, but in getting the photo.

Prepare your passport photo digitally before heading to the authorities. It saves you precious time that you desperately need for a last-minute application.

Create your passport photo now →